STATE POMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 1 55 



was a fine, new silk hat. He paused a moment in the yard 

 where the air was full of swarming bees. Suddenly they began 

 to alight on his hat and there he had to stand perfectly motion- 

 less, but inwardly fuming, until they had quietly settled. He 

 did not receive a sting to aid him in his apologies for his non- 

 appearance that morning. 



A day or two before a swarm issues from the hive it always 

 sends out scouts to select a site for their new home. We 

 had a swarm come to us ; a colony had just gone out and half 

 an hour later the parent hive began to fill with bees. Thinking 

 the swarm was returning we watched carefvilly, but no, the bees 

 came thicker and faster through the air and our nearly empty 

 hive was filled with shining black bees. A few days later we 

 had been working over the other colonies and we thought it 

 would be pleasant to make the acquaintance of our new friends. 

 It was late in the afternoon, the wind was southerly, a gray sky, 

 every indication portended rain. The smoker was nearly 

 exhausted, and we were nnprotected. No one except a novice 

 would ever think of handling strange bees under such conditions. 

 One carefully lifted the cover, while the other gently sent a few 

 light puffs of smoke into the hive. It seemed as if the whole 

 colony rose instantly into the air with that intense buzzing which 

 only infuriated bees can make. 



Suffice it to say, that we utterly disregarded one of the funda- 

 mental principles of bee-keeping, — "Never allow yourself to be 

 routed by any colony." 



The next day was bright and clear. Provided with two 

 smokers in prime condition and suitably protected we laid siege 

 to that colony and soon had it under perfect control. 



Swarming bees when they have decided to accept the hive in 

 which they are placed make a happy, low, purring sound, like a 

 contented kitten. On handling bees it is always well to be pro- 

 tected by a bee veil, unless you do not mind an occasional bee 

 sizzling in your hair, while both hands are employed in carefully 

 prying out a box of honey, firmly fastened down with propolis. 

 If not too nervous arid you do not mind bees crawling all over 

 your fingers, it is much easier to work without gloves. Late in 

 the season, however, they are indispensable. If you get a sting 

 while at work it always incites the other bees to go and do like- 

 wise. 



